Comal County continues to see an increase in COVID-19 cases. The city of New Braunfels has officially put a mask order in place to combat the virus. Within the past week, Austin and San Antonio were both listed in the top five U.S. hotspots for COVID-19 cases. All of this information impacts what we do and how we do it.
Since March, we have been practicing social distancing, maintaining good hand hygiene, and requiring a mask to be worn. According to the Mayo Clinic, face masks do offer protection, especially when paired with other preventive measures. Which type of mask is right for you? Here are their recommendations.
Surgical Masks
These types of masks protect the wearer’s nose and mouth. Surgical masks are disposable and come with a built-in filter good for large particles in the air. This type of mask is thought to help prevent the wearer from spreading the virus.
N95 Masks
N95 masks are actually respirators. These masks are good for filtering out both large and small particles from the air. Unless properly trained, N95 masks are easily ill-fitted. On exhale, unfiltered air is released back into the wearer’s surroundings.
Cloth Masks
Cloth masks are by far the most abundant. They are washable, reusable, and are thought to prevent the wearer from spreading the virus. It is cautioned that cloth masks should include multiple layers of fabric for maximum effectiveness.
Things to Consider
- Always wear your mask over your nose and mouth.
- Don’t touch your face, even while wearing a mask.
- Wash and sanitize hands if you accidently touch your mask.
- When you remove your mask, immediately wash your hands.
We know that you have probably heard all of this information before, but with a rise in cases, we could all do with a little reminding.